Thursday’s NBA slate featured an intriguing intra-conference matchup. The Miami Heat looked well on their way to another victory on Thursday night on the road against the Dallas Mavericks. They had gotten off to a very hot shooting start, leading by as many as 15 points in the first half.
The Mavericks have been struggling on defense over their last few games and the Heat were taking full advantage. A barrage of 3-pointers were being made as Miami shot 17-of-38 from long range.
However, when the 3-point shooting cooled down, the Heat didn’t have anywhere else to turn for offensive production. Bam Adebayo was held in check, going 5-of-14 from the field as the Mavericks turned up the defensive pressure in the second half.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat Updates
A 37-25 third-quarter win by Dallas proved to be the difference in the 114-108 outcome. It was a historic night for Luka Doncic, who made NBA history by recording his fourth straight 35+ point triple-double.
Getting beat in that fashion by Doncic isn’t anything the Heat will be ashamed of; he has big games against everyone. However, the one thing Miami should be disappointed in is their lack of aggression attacking the basket.
The Heat attempted 17 free throws in the game, making only 11. Dallas on the other hand went 18-of-23, another area that proved to be the difference in the game. As it turns out, the Heat go as their free throw shooting does, more specifically, Jimmy Butler’s free throw attempts.
Against the Mavericks on Thursday, Butler attempted only two free throws. He split the pair, going 1-for-2. That lack of free throw attempts has spelled doom for the Heat throughout the 2023-24 NBA regular season.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat Updates
As shared by Simon Smith on X, that drops Miami’s record to 3-7 this season when Butler attempts five or fewer free throws in a game. When he reaches the 11-free throw mark, the Heat are a perfect 11-0.
The Heat had a hot shooting night from 3-point range and kept hoisting away. However, that kind of offense isn’t their recipe for success. Attacking the basket and overwhelming teams inside the arc and getting to the foul line are how they win games.
Butler attempting as many 3-pointers as free throws in a game is a rare occurrence. The results speak for themselves, as the Heat are a better team when Butler is forcing the action and drawing fouls instead of attempting shots from the perimeter.
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